WTF!!! Anyone seen this before?!?!?

[Riderdie]

Rode maybe 80 miles today, around the last 10 the bike started sounding like shit. I knew the sound had something to do with the header. Fortunate it wasn't a crack but shit, really!

Has this happen to anyone before?
Anyone know the thread size?
Going by my local HD tomorrow to help out an employee load some race maps, hopefully they have some here I could pick up.

Talk about timing... Going to the OBX bike week Friday .

 

[anrkizm95]

happens a bunch not sure of the thread size.quite a few threads on this though

 

[redrider]

Just happened to me took it to the local HD dealer and they fixed it on the spot no charge the nut size is 5/16 x 24 when i got home i went to ace hardware and got extra nuts and double nutted the studs.

 

[anrkizm95]

you got lucky most have it break off flush or below the surface and need to drill and helicoil [up]

 

[Riderdie]

Thanks Guys!! Didn't even think to search, don't remember coming across this in all the time I've spent on here.

A little compforting.

Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones!

Bike was hot it's dark out and staying at the old lady's tonight.
I didn't get much of a look at it but I'm going to try and get some bolts on there before riding in the A.M.

 

[pinball242]

wtf happened the header came loose from the block? i swear this bikes gonna vibrate into a million pieces one day. thats it. next day off i have im gonna sit and tighten everything i can find.

 

[anrkizm95]

just need to dip them in a vat of locktite

 

[konarider94]

i would advise against that. when i was trying to remove my header the stud broke off in the head. i would much rather a nut fall off than have to drill a head again. that was not fun.

 

[DrogeN Omen]

yeah you got off lucky mate...

i had my stud snap off flush with the head.

it was not fun at all. specially when the cheap Chinese stud remover snapped off... hardened steal is a bitch to drill...

ended up using a dremil to grind it out... probs too me a solid 9 hours over 6 weeks to grind it all out and retap it...

 

[Riderdie]

Yea throw a tally in the unlucky column for me.

The top bolt broke off inside the head.

Going to try and drill it out with a come along tomorrow.

Hopefully HD has the bolt in stock.
I guess it's better it happened near home rather than this weekend 200 miles away.

 

[jimijeans]

LUCKY you, AND Red rider you might want to rethink the Double nut method.It's your bike. The Expanson rate is to much & to fast and you will be Drilling out or Even replacing the Head.The nuts And Threads on the Studs streach and after a while Pow! One nut is a good thing when it just comes off easy to replace it all,when it's not Broken off. When that happens Replace the Studs With the Stock ones. Don't put Black iron steel in the Heads for metals expand differently. And The ease out method doesn't work most of the time it will break off also.There is a Stud Removal tool it just slips over the stud.The 3/8 ratchet if you gently rock it should but (not always)break it loose. The Studs are actually in need of replacing when they start rusting.NO sealant of any kind should be used.They are your Bikes and in my Experience from years, I have learned to avoid and maintain things that most don't Know about. Remember most modes of Transportation aren't made like the USA of the Past.Even Foreign is doing the same.Just My 3 Cents$~Jimi

 

[pinball242]

SO....what should we all do? simply tighten the nuts regularly? as a maintenance item? or will the studs break if they're gonna break?

 

[kelly]

i use grey loc tite, little dab will do ya

 

[Buellysses]

http://www.mcmaster.com/#95307A600
http://www.mcmaster.com/#92501A425

I lost one when I was doing my rebuild, provided the 5/16-24 size is correct, either of those will work. The first one is mil-spec, second one is not. They are both all-steel lock nuts, similar to OEM.

I was able to find a similar item at my local ACE Hardware.

 

[Sidewinder]

Safety wiring everything is also an option.

 

[roxxx]

Here is an option I have used these in the past on my old Cummins Trucks which, I would say shakes as much as the buell ..... Or maybe a tad bit more.

http://www.stage8.com


Here watch the little flash vid

http://www.stage8.com/abutment.html

http://www.silvereagleharley.com/St...T-BOLT-LOCK-KITS-detail.htm?productId=7769325 not sure but you get the idea

 

[prostreet]

Tech tip,
If you break a stud off flush or a little under and you can weld or know someone who can(wirefeed)hold a 5/16 nut up tight to head and weld through center of nut at stud, welding stud to nut than back off nut. Weld won't stick to head(alum.) and the heat help's break stud loose. Been doing this on Harley heads for years

 

[Stevenc150]

^Nice Tip^ [up]

 

[Loki]

[up] +1 for that tip.

 

[DrogeN Omen]

isn't the wirefeed welding too hot for the head? i had about 2mm sticking out of the head but every one i spoke to told me that welding a nut to the stud could melt the aluminum head...